Ilia Topuria using infrared neurostimulator device in fight camp preparation

Ilia Topuria has revealed that an infrared neurostimulator device has become a staple of his fight camp preparation, detailing a two-part routine that targets both mental sharpness before training and recovery during sleep.

The pound-for-pound number one contender uses two different helmet attachments as part of the system. One is worn before workouts to heighten focus, while a second is positioned lower on the head at night to aid recovery and improve sleep quality. Topuria has said the pre-session attachment delivers a level of concentration he describes as superior to any amount of caffeine, and that the device has featured in every camp throughout his career.

Topuria, 29, competes out of Spain under the Climent Club banner and currently sits second in the lightweight division rankings while holding the top spot on the pound-for-pound list. The orthodox striker carries a professional record of 17 wins and one loss, and his numbers inside the cage reflect his all-around danger. He lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute at a 48 percent accuracy rate, while also averaging 1.96 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes — a combination that makes him a genuine threat in every phase of a fight.

Why it matters

• Topuria's willingness to adopt emerging recovery and cognitive technology signals the growing role of sports science in elite MMA camps.
• As the lightweight division's second-ranked fighter and the sport's top pound-for-pound name, any edge he finds in preparation carries significant competitive weight.
• The detail that the device has been present in every one of his camps suggests this is a long-standing commitment rather than a passing experiment.